CHENNAI: Taking cognisance of a complaint that the members of Puthirai Vannar community were facing caste discrimination, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice directing the Tamil Nadu chief secretary to file a response within six weeks.
Members of Puthirai Vannar community, a Dalit sub-sect, are involved in washing clothes, mainly for members of dominant castes.
The commission received a complaint that the members of Puthirai Vannar community are being forced to do ‘caste duties’ like washing of blood stained clothes of girls attaining puberty and the mothers after delivery. They are also forced to wash clothes of dead persons and their close relatives and similar duties,” said a statement from the commission.
Refusal to perform these duties often leads to abuse and physical assault, and in some cases, even ostracisation, alleged the complaint.
Observing that the petition raises serious issues like bonded labour and violation of human rights, the NHRC issued a notice to State chief secretary, the statement said.